As part of the Girls of Promise® initiative, the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program—named in honor of the Foundation’s first Black president—supports women of color attending college in Arkansas who are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (including finance and related fields). This 12-week program, in partnership with leading companies across Arkansas, is intentionally designed to expand access and representation in high-demand fields by removing barriers related to cost, social capital, and location. Reflecting the commitment and generosity of our corporate partners, the program provides interns with competitive pay ($15–$20 per hour), free housing, travel stipends, professional networking opportunities, and more—ensuring they are equipped for both professional success and personal growth.

Applications open October 1, 2025.

Program Details:

• Paid Internship $15 – $20 an hour
• Housing provided for duration of the program
• Transportation and childcare stipend, if applicable
• Networking opportunities and mentorship
• Professional Development sessions created to boost career confidence

Eligibility:

• Identify as a woman
• Be a person of color and/or of a minority race or ethnicity
• Pursuing a 2-year or 4-year degree in STEM fields (finance & related majors included) attending university in the state of Arkansas or be an Arkansas resident
• Be a rising collegiate junior, senior, or recent graduate

Application Requirements:

• One Letter of Recommendation
• Resume
• Unofficial transcript
• Completed Application Questions

Past Participating Companies:

• Acxiom
• Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
• Arvest Bank
• Garver
• Southwest Power Pool
• Stone Bank
• Windstream
• CDI Contractors
• and more! 

Applications open October 1, 2025.